Celestial Bodies

In the village of al-Awafi, Oman, three sisters—Mayya, sold by heartache, Asma, bound by duty, and Khawla, who waits for her true love in Canada—navigate personal and societal changes against a backdrop of a transforming Oman. Their intertwined stories reflect the complexities of love and loss within a society shifting from traditional structures to modern realities. Celestial Bodies, the first Arabic novel to win the Man Booker International Prize, showcases the significant voice of female Omani author Jokha Alharthi as she brings a nuanced portrayal of her culture to English-speaking audiences.